I’ve never posted, and I’m not a frequent, loyal reader (though I probably will be now), but I have spent a lot of hours reading your posts, while in my periodic “I gotta get organized!” phases of life.

I just wanted to comment on the “e-book ad” situation. It’s intended more for your readers than to you. I don’t wish to offend, and I certainly hope no one takes my comments the wrong way. Rather I just wanted to offer up an alternative perspective or pair of “glasses” through which the “e-book ad” controversy might be viewed.

From the perspective of a non-loyal reader, or a passerby, the only reason I wasn’t turned off by the ad, was because, Leo, you were up-front and honest from the start.

In my experience, one becomes a loyal reader of a blog, in part, because they trust the blogger is honestly posting without an agenda or ulterior motive. There’s nothing worse than reading an “objective” review or blog (I read a LOT of product reviews) only to start picking up on the subtle hooks and phrases of an agenda or sales pitch. It actually makes me angry when I’m sucked into wasting my time reading something that is not what it appears to be.

You didn’t do that. You stated up front that you were a partner in the company… that it was an e-book for sale… if we weren’t interested to skip it… and you even offered a full refund! How much more honest does one need to be?

Jonathan B. had it right with his Dr. Seuss quote. Thanks for that Jonathan!

Leo, you do a LOT for your loyal readers, and you provide a lot of interesting reading and valuable information for them. More importantly, you’ve proven your basis for doing all of this isn’t part of a hidden agenda to make money from unsuspecting readers. That’s why so many people come back to your blog. They trust you.

So if you choose to post an “ad”, those that matter will trust that you’re only posting the ad because it’s something you truly think is of value to them, and that the only way to obtain it all in a concise form, is through the purchase of the e-book. If anyone “loyal” is offended and thinks you’re trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they were never truly loyal to begin with.

We all get a LOT of free information on sites like this. It’s fantastic.
But everyone please try to keep this in mind… it takes a lot of time and effort to do what people like Leo do, and we all benefit greatly from it. We are spoiled, because it’s all there at our fingertips to take in, absorb and use at will.

Look at the purchase of this e-book, as an example, not as an expense to you, but rather, an opportunity to contribute to what will hopefully be the continued success of a small company that is, in part, owned by a guy you trust, who obviously cares about his readers, and works hard to provide you all with pages and pages of free information that enhances your lives.

It should make you proud and make you feel good to pay the $9.95. It’s not like he tries to sell you something on a regular basis!

Maybe it can be your way of saying “Thanks for what you do, Leo. Keep up the good work, and I hope your company does well.”

With all the free information out there, it’s easy to just take, take, take… because we can… and because it’s not wrong to do so. But give a little bit back to the ones that you trust and you know are making a difference in your life.

You never know when your favorite blogger may up and disappear, especially with the economy today, because he simply can’t afford the time it takes to do what he does.

Throw him a bone when you have an opportunity, and try not to compare his offer to what you can buy out there for the same price. You probably won’t buy that anyway.

Who knows, maybe it will create some good karma for you. We can all use more of that.

At the very least… you’ll get an e-book!

Glenn

PS… yes, I am following my own advice and purchasing the e-book as soon as I hit “Submit Comment.” : )
Thanks for all you do, Leo! Keep up the good work. And I hope your business does well!

Here’s what I’ve decided from what I’ve heard from you so far:

1. I will continue to post about ebooks from time to time, if I think you’ll like them, but not more than once a month.
2. Sometimes it might be better for me to just add a little note at the end of a regular post, rather than do a whole separate post, since I usually don’t do a full review.
3. If you aren’t interested, skip the post!

So my suggestion is that you make such ads a part of your post, rather than just posting the ad and none of your content with it. Or put ads in the ads sidebar.

I love this site..so telling you my views.